22 Days to Kickoff: Oak Park-River Forest

22 Days to Kickoff: Oak Park-River Forest

NBCSportsChicago.com preps reporter "Edgy" Tim O’Halloran spotlights 100 high school football teams in 100 days. The first 75 team profiles will focus on teams making strides across Chicagoland and elsewhere in the state. Starting Aug. 5, we’ll unveil the @NBCSPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 30.

Biggest holes to fill: The Huskies welcome back 10 returning starters (five offense, five defense) including some key names from a season ago; however, they will need to replace the entire starting defensive line from a season ago.

EDGY's Early Take: Head coach John Hoerster is certainly hoping for a much less dramatic August off the field, as he suffered a massive heart attack just before the start of last season. The Huskies boast some big names on offense, and that includes junior QB/DB Jaden McGill who is already drawing college recruiting attention and offers. The early regular season schedule will undoubtedly challenge this team right out of the gate. A road game at Waubonsie Valley followed by a home date against Willowbrook should provide plenty of intrigue. If the Huskies can reload on the defensive line, they will have the potential to challenge for the West Suburban Silver conference title. Can they be a force in November?

Edgy Tim's Week 3 analysis and picks

Edgy Tim's Week 3 analysis and picks

NBC Sports Chicago will have cameras covering the biggest high school football games across Chicagoland on the Week 3 edition of High School Lites, Friday at 11:00 p.m. Several conferences begin play this week. In the South Suburban, can Bremen go to 3-0 for the first time since 2011? Both Reavis and Shepard are undefeated. Who can take the next step and get one step closer to the IHSA playoff field? Both Montini and Mount Carmel square off at new Carey Field on Friday night while we #SENDEDGY to 99th and Pulaski to cover Providence Catholic at Brother Rice. Also who you got in this week's Viewers' Choice Game of the Week, Hinsdale Central or South?

Bremen (2-0) at T.F. North (1-1), 6:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Bremen is off to a strong start this season thanks to an offense that has been averaging 44 points per game in the early going. They're looking for their first 3-0 start since 2011. Coach Dan Stell's crew features senior WR/LB Devonte O'Malley and senior WR Donta Woods. T.F. North and head coach Tristan Stovall suffered a tough opening week loss to state-ranked Homewood-Flossmoor but bounced back nicely in beating Julian last week. The Meteors have talent as well. Keep an eye on senior RB Kendi Young and junior WR Malik Beasley. Can the Bremen offense continue to put up big points against the T.F. North defense?

EDGY's Pick: T.F. North 28 Bremen 21

Shepard (2-0) at Reavis (2-0), 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Head coach Tim Zasada has the Rams off and running. Reavis, who is seeking a fifth playoff berth in six years, has posted wins against Hammond Gavit and Steinmetz. Now the schedule kicks into a higher gear as Shepard comes calling. The Astros, coached by John Rone, were able to pull off a last-second 49-46 win last week vs. Wheaton St. Francis in Palos Heights. QB Thomas Smith had a big game. The Astros have several athletes to watch including senior WR/DB Jalen Smith and senior LB Matthew Hightower. Can Reavis dent the Shepard defense? Can the Shepard offense big play the Reavis defense?

EDGY's Pick: Shepard 31 Reavis 20

Kankakee (1-1) at Thornwood (2-0), 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Kankakee, unfer first-year head coach Derek Hart, came up just short in a 27-26 loss to Crete-Monee. The Kays have an experienced group back this season. Junior QB Tyjuane Stewart has been impressive after two weeks in the books and. Look for senior WR Chatavion Spivery to get some targets. Thornwood and head coach Kenneth Smith's team has scored 106 points so far this season and has posted back-to-back shutout wins over district rival Thornridge and Rich South. Can the Thornwood defense continue to play well again against the explosive Kankakee offense?

EDGY's Pick: Kankakee 30 Thornwood 21

(12) Montini (2-0) at (9) Mount Carmel (2-0), 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Montini has posted wins so far this season over Hudson (WI) and Collins. Now it gets a little tougher for head coach Mike Bukovsky and the Broncos. They'll look to an experienced offense to lead the way. They're paced by senior QB Deontay Bell and senior WR Nate Muersch (Miami OH). Senior OL Jeremiah Banks Wall is holding multiple scholarship offers this fall. Mount Carmel is playing its first season Carey Field, the new on-campus facility at 64th and Dante. Head coach Jordan Lynch has another loaded roster that features QB Justin Lynch, senior OL Jalen Grant, junior RB/LB Kenenna Odeluga and a speedy, talented defense. Can Montini raise its game a few notches higher this week? Can Mount Carmel slow down Montini's versatile offensive attack?

EDGY's Pick: Mount Carmel 31 Montini 28

Johnsburg (1-1) at Richmond-Burton (2-0), 7:00 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Johnsburg was able to bounce back last week in an 18-6 win over Rochelle after losing a defensive battle, 3-0, against Marian Central. Look for the Skyhawks to have RB Jacob McKinney lead the way on offense. Richmond-Burton walloped Aurora Central Catholic 50-0 last Friday. QB Jacob Huber passed for four touchdowns in just six pass attempts. The Rockets' ground game is also a strength, led by senior RB Dalton Wood. Can the Johnsburg defense slow down the potent R-B offense? Have the Rockets been tested as much as Johnsburg? Despite both being in the Kishwaukee River Conference, this is considered a nonconference game. Both teams will square off again in Week 7.

EDGY's Pick: Richmond-Burton 28 Johnsburg 13

Elgin at South Elgin, 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: This will be the first Friday night home game on the campus of South Elgin High School. The Storm previously played all of its home games (since 2012) on Saturday afternoons. SEHS has been piling up the points this season behind RB Marquise Gillesoie II and QB Ben Karpowitz. The defense has posted back-to-back shutouts against West Chicago and East Aurora. Elgin and head coach Anthony Griffin are 0-2 but don't let the record fool you. The Maroons played well against Glenbard East and Glenbard South. Keep an eye on Elgin QB Jeffery Lomax along with WR Xavier Bonds. Can the Maroons spoil the Storms big night time party?

EDGY's Pick: South Elgin 35 Elgin 21

Taft (1-1) at (11) Phillips (2-0), 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Taft and head coach John Tsarouchas bounced back from a Week 1 loss to Glenbrook North and walloped Brooks 55-6 in their home opener last week. Taft, the defending Public League champs, features junior QB Daniel Loch and senior WR/S Dexter Stigall as key playmakers. Phillips is finally back at home. It's their first game at Mandrake Park this season. The Wildcats posted two strong wins over Detriot's Cass Tech and against St. Mary's (MO). the latter at the East St Louis Scholars' Classic. Phillips has a standout two-way player in Ronald Pledger (Western Michigan); senior RB Anthony Anderson is also having a nice season. Can Taft put a dent in the always hard-nosed and aggressive Phillips defense?

EDGY's Pick: Phillips 40 Taft 12

Maine West (2-0) at Hoffman Estates (1-1), 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: The 2-0 Warriors posted a big win last Friday over Glenbrook South 37-13. Senior QB Danny Kentgen has been a big time leader for head coach Jason Kradman. West also has playmakers in senior DE/TE Isaiah Siem-Davis and senior WR/S Jaden Dolphin. Hoffman Estates is looking to bounce back after a tough loss last Friday to Prospect. The Hawks will give the football to junior RB Mehki Williams. Don't overlook QB Jojo Lovelace. He has been strong under center this season. Can the Maine West defense slow down the big-play potential of Hoffman Estates?

EDGY's Take: Providence and head coach Mark Coglianese expect better things in 2019 after suffering through an injury-plagued 2018 season. So far the Celtics have delivered. They have multiple weapons in junior QB Kevin Conway and sophomore RB Aaron Vaughn. The offensive line, anchored by Cincinnati-bound Jake Renfro, features four starters back from a year ago. Brother Rice graduated 17 starters from last year's Class 8A state title runner-up squad, yet head coach Brian Badke has reloaded the roster quite well. The offense is led by junior QB Ben Somers. Watch for junior RB Willie Shaw to get a lot of calls. On defense, they're led by senior DT Justin Jefferson, senior S Giacomo Iraci (Western Michigan) and junior ILB Myles Jones. Can the Rice defense slow down the multiple weapons of the Providence offense? Can the Celtics get the football back against Rice's grinding offensive attack?

EDGY's Pick: Brother Rice 30 Providence Catholic 27

Viewers' Choice Game of the Week

(13) Hinsdale Central (2-0) at Hinsdale South (1-1), 7:30 p.m.

EDGY's Take: Both teams will battle for The Doings Cup on Friday. Both Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South almost saw the school district shut down both football programs earlier this year, but District 86 voters passed a $130 million dollar referendum, avoiding threatened budget cuts. Red Devils' first year head coach Brian Griffin has received a big season so far from the defense. The unit is led by senior DB Owen Goss (Colgate). The offense also has playmakers in senior WR Braden Contraras and QB Michael Brescia. Hinsdale South, coached by Mike Barry, got into the win column last Friday over Proviso West. Keep an eye on Hornets senior QB Marquese Garrett. Can the Hinsdale South strike quickly with some big plays against the Central defense? Central has won 17 straight in the series. South wants to put that streak to an end ASAP.